Maldives girl's flogging sentence quashed

A 15-year-old girl who was sentenced to 100 lashes for premarital sex has had
her sentence overturned by a court in the Maldives.

Premarital sex is illegal in the Maldives, and the girl, from the island of Feydhoo, had reportedly confessed to police investigating separate allegations that she had been raped by her stepfather and abused by other local menPhoto: ALAMY

The case caused outrage among human rights groups earlier this year, with some calling for a tourist boycott of the archipelago, a popular spot for wealthy holidaymakers and newlyweds.

A petition urging tourists to avoid the country received the backing of more than two million people, while Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin founder, also spoke out against the sentencing.

Premarital sex is illegal in the Maldives, and the girl, from the island of Feydhoo, had reportedly confessed to police investigating separate allegations that she had been raped by her stepfather and abused by other local men.

The High Court ruled that the girl had been wrongly convicted, as the confession was made while she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It also ruled that she had been “unfit for trial”.

Her stepfather, who remains on trail, is accused of raped and impregnating her, and then killing the baby.

“We are relieved that the girl will be spared this inhumane 'punishment' based on an outrageous conviction, which we hope has also been quashed," she told the BBC. "No-one should ever be prosecuted for sex outside marriage in the first place."

A spokesman for President Mohamed Waheed said he was “overjoyed” at the news.

Mr Nasheed – who became president in 2008, ending the 30-year authoritarian rule of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – maintains that his overthrow was the result of a “coup”. He urged a complete tourism boycott last year, before issuing a new plea for holidaymakers to avoid those resorts whose owners he alleges were responsible for his downfall.

The UK-based campaign group Friends of Maldives has made similar calls, while Amnesty International has used the country’s idyllic tourism image to highlight alleged human rights abuses with the publication of a pamphlet entitled “Another Side of Paradise”.

Elections are due to take place in September, with Mr Nasheed standing against the incumbent Mr Waheed.